* Chiefs last hurrah; crowd mourns end of tradition

* Fred Couch: Fans left orange and blue

* Todd’s trash talk:

On the eve of his biggest day as Cook County Board president, Todd Stroger took to name-calling of elected officials he says have whined too much about having to cut their budgets. State’s Attorney Richard Devine and Sheriff Tom Dart are “prima donnas” who have complained about cuts on “just about every talk show,” Stroger said Wednesday.

* Daley’s Crosstown Expressway vision includes only trucks and a CTS lane: One day after House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-Chicago) put the Crosstown chip on the table in the game of legislative poker, Daley piled on with a more costly and elaborate proposal.

* Sun Times Editorial: Crosstown plan worth another look

* 1,000 Cook County workers given the notice on possible layoff:

* Editorial: Hold line on taxes, cut ‘exempt’ jobs, consolidate clinics

* Showdown comes for Cook Co. budget

* Eric Zorn: Tough fight over the Judicial Advisory Council, small slice of big pie

* Cook County lacks the votes to delay March 15th smoking ban

* Jesse Jackson Jr. rips Stroger’s budget plan

* Rosemont gaming license still in play

* Madigan files suit to end tow-truck scams

* Will County officials reject Jackson’ revised ALNAC plan

* Harvey still searching for missing records

* Experts: Boys should also get HPV vaccine

*** UPDATE *** Audio of Tuesday’s appellate oral arguments in USA v. Larry Warner & George Ryan have been posted online. Listen below…

[audio:0T0SDQZI.mp3]